Teenager's family say not knowing is agonising

Hayden Miles. Photo / Supplied

The family of missing Christchurch teenager Hayden Miles say not knowing is the hardest part as his disappearance appears to take on a more sinister tone.

Hayden, who was missing for his 16th birthday in October, was last seen on August 22 at a property in the Christchurch suburb of Linwood, where police say he was involved in "some sort of incident".

Police are now saying there are "mixed reports" over whether Hayden was injured around the time he called his mother while "clearly upset" to say he had been attacked and his cellphone taken from him.

The house is now cordoned off as police comb the property for clues to his disappearance. Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Hill said: "Forensic information and other information has heightened our interest in the address".

Speaking on behalf of Hayden's family, his aunt, Sandy Ward, yesterday told the Weekend Herald: "We miss him terribly. We are very distressed and finding it tough at this difficult time. We want people to come forward so we can find Hayden. Not knowing [what has happened to Hayden] is the hardest part, or where he is.

"We just want to know."

Hayden's distraught mother, Jacqui Miles, said recently that as time went on her fears for her son grew.

"With Christmas approaching, we would dearly love to have our Hayden home with us soon."

Police wanted to find anyone who might have taken Hayden's phone from him "so we can eliminate them from our inquiry".

Locals say the property police are searching has been visited a number of times by police in the past, but Mr Hill yesterday refused to comment on the recent history of the house.

"Our inquiries so far indicate that some sort of incident has occurred at this address and we are focusing on this location to get a better picture of what has happened," Mr Hill said.

Some staying at the house knew Hayden. Those living there are co-operating with police and alternative accommodation was being arranged for them.

A friend of Hayden's, Troy King, told the Weekend Herald he used to give Hayden rides in his car and found him a very social person.

"He was always hanging out with different people. I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to badly hurt him."

Mr Hill would not comment on what may have happened to Hayden, saying the inquiry was still "very much a missing person [case]".